Page 31 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

A few years ago, I would’ve been interested in fighting for change and justice, but now, I am somewhere different, and I have a son to think of. The only thing I want in my life is peace and stability.

“I’m sorry, Victor, but I can’t help you.”

I watched as the glimmer of hope in his eyes died out following my words. I felt a pang of guilt, but I continued. “You know everything about my stay in the palace and why I wouldn’t want to go back. But I’ll tell you this: your dreams are wonderful, and I’m sure you’ll achieve them someday. When you do, I’ll be cheering for you.:

“I know you didn’t have the best experience in the palace, Mira, but I promise it’ll be different this time. Just give me a chance, please.”

His eyes were filled with so much sincerity that it hurt to let him down. Still, I knew what I wanted. So, I held my ground.

Victor eventually accepted defeat, seeing as I was never going to join his reform or return to the palace with him. He did ask if wecould remain friends, to which I responded with a big yes. He’s been a wonderful person so far, and I’d hate to lose him.

*******

“Mommy, look! It’s a rollercoaster!” Noah shrieked, pointing at the speeding structure. He had always wanted to get on one, but I constantly told him he was still too little. That didn’t stop him from almost exploding with excitement any time he caught sight of one in motion.

“Don’t worry, sweetie. When you’re big enough, I’ll take you on your first ride. But now, you get to play with the horses.”

He complained nonstop about how the horses carried him in circles without going anywhere, and I laughed in return. He was quite a joy to be around when he was in the park.

“Mommy, look! I’m a knight,” he squealed once he was on top of the horse and pretending he was holding a saddle.

“Why darling, you make a really fine knight,” I cheered, watching as his smile widened.

My phone vibrated in my purse, and I pulled it out to see my COO’s name flashing on the screen. “Hello Mr. Smith. Is everything okay?”

It was Saturday, and I had made sure to let my workers know weekends were family time and they could only call if it was a life-or-death situation.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m really sorry to bother you, but we need your signature on a file to conclude the project. Can I send you a scan? I promise it won’t take much of your time.”

I let out a sigh. I knew they were all working overtime so that I could be done and leave the States. Denying a signature would be cruel.

“Send the file to my lawyer. She’ll send it to me once she’s satisfied with it.”

“I’ll do that right away. Thank you, ma’am,” he said, and the line went dead.

I tucked in my phone and returned my attention to the plastic horse in front of me to find it empty. Panic clogged my chest as I scanned the environment, and there was no familiar mop of curly brown hair in sight.

Noah?

Where is my son?!

CHAPTER TEN

Griffin

“I never thought they’d come a day when the palace would be termed unsafe for conversations about the palace’s wellbeing,” I mused, walking beside Elder John.

“Times like this, although rare, are not exactly alien to the royal family. The power mongers will never give up, and their thirst for power will only burn brighter with time.”

I picked up an empty can of soda lying carelessly in the middle of the park and tossed it into the waste bin. Littering was a pet peeve of mine, one I couldn’t ignore for the life of me. Even Mira used to tease me about how unnaturally organized I was and how there was always little to no work for her to do whenever she came to clean my room.

A small smile kissed my lips at the memory. She was always eager to offer up advice, a listening ear, and companionship, and now that I had no access to them anymore, I found myself desperately in need of her attention. I would give up anything for a minute of her just listeningand making subtle jokes. We truly don’t realize the value of a bond until it’s lost.

“How power hungry can they be that they can’t see past his mask and realize he will be the end of us if the slightest bit of power gets into his hands?” I queried, banishing any distracting thought that pulled my attention and focusing on the matter at hand.

“These people will run towards whatever they feel will protect their selfish interests. Victor knows this. It’s why he’s making these proposals and playing into their deranged lust for power.”

I couldn’t hold back the scoff that escaped my lips.

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